Downtown Bellevue Network

Multifamily Midrise Suggested Across Street from The Bravern

Michael — Thu, 31 May 2012 07:44:15 +0000

The property directly across the street from The Bravern, on NE 8th St., has a sign advertising it’s for sale. The group representing the property, R.M. Watson Co., has proposed a 239-unit multi-family condo or apartment building. The signs also suggest that construction could start as early as summer if a buyer is found.

Inquiries to find out the sale price of the land were not returned by the listing agent.

This location was previously planned to host ‘VIDA Condos,’ a 12-story condominium midrise with studios that ranged from 400 – 1,000 square feet. This project never broke ground.

Downtown Bellevue Outdoor Dining Guide – Now Live

Peter — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:39:46 +0000

We’ve put together an outdoor dining guide for the restaurants in the Downtown Bellevue core area. You can look here to find the perfect outside spot to connect with your friends or business associates. You will find many, great choices. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a cup of coffee or have a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or maybe you’d like to enjoy a beer or cocktail out on one of our favorite patios. Whatever your choice is, live more outdoors. Where will the next great day take you?

View the Downtown Bellevue Outdoor Dining Guide Now>

Downtown Bellevue high-rise, Soma Towers breaks ground

Peter — Mon, 28 May 2012 21:18:54 +0000

The Seattle Times is reporting that the first Bellevue high-rise in four years has broken ground. Su Development, an Eastside and Seattle apartment developer, has begun work on a 21-story apartment tower in downtown Bellevue. This will be Bellevue’s first new, multistoried building construction since the real estate crash. The development is located at Northeast Second Street and 106th Avenue Northeast. The paper reports that this is phase one of the project that Su Development has named Soma Towers.

Liz Stead, City of Bellevue’s urban design planning manager is quoted by the Seattle Times as saying, “We’re all very excited to have it going up,” referring to the Soma Towers project.

The initial 21-story tower will include 142 apartments, about 10,000 square feet for retail, a 3,400-square-foot exhibition hall, 5,300 square feet of office space and 198 below grade parking slots, according to Bellevue building permit information. Phase two of Soma Towers will include an 18-story apartment building, an additional 124 apartments, 15,000 square feet of retail space, as well as underground parking for 197 vehicles.

The Times was unable to reach Su Development officials, for comment regarding the project. The paper reports that Dupre + Scott, a local real estate research company, indicates the first tower is scheduled for completion in spring 2014, with the second tower to be completed two years later.

Liz Stead, City of Bellevue’s urban design planning manager is quoted by the Seattle Times as saying, “We’re all very excited to have it going up,” referring to the Soma Towers project.

Wild Ginger Bellevue Spotlights New Vietnamese Sandwich Menu

Lauren — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:52:19 +0000

Wild Ginger Bellevue is offering a new Vietnamese-style sandwich menu, which can be ordered online and picked up during the restaurant’s lunch hours.

The menu includes three types of sandwiches: Pork Banh Mi, Chicken Banh Mi, and Veggie Bahn Mi, for $8 each. Add chips and a salad for $2 more. Drinks are available for $1-$3.

These to-go meals can be picked up from 11:30am to 2pm Monday through Friday at the downtown restaurant, located at The Bravern, 11020 NE 6^th St., Ste. 90.

Hungry? Check out the menu.

Bellevue Towers Reaches 300 Closed Sales

Lauren — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:27:56 +0000

Bellevue Towers closed its 300^th home this week, which puts the downtown condominium property within reach of receiving final Fannie Mae approval for the entire project.

Achieving final Fannie Mae approval will lead to increased financing options for potential buyers, such as lower down payments and more flexible qualification criteria, according to Realty Trust, the brokerage firm representing the property.

Bellevue Towers is offering reduced prices on select homes throughout June to reach the required sales goal. To date, 66 homes have been sold this year.

Remaining homes include studio and one-bedroom condos priced from the $300,000s, two-bedroom residences priced from the $600,000s, and penthouses priced from $2 million.

Here is a sample list of pricing:

Plan	Suite	Bed/Bath	SF	New Price	Original List	Reduction	%
XX3	330	1 BR + S/1 B	1176	$399,000	$604,000	-$205,000	-34%
PP5	514	1 BR + S/1 B	1049	$364,000	$549,000	-$185,000	-34%
J3	2402	2 BR + D/2.5 B	2119	$979,000	$1,649,000	-$670,000	-41%
L4	2806	2 BR + D/2.5 B	2147	$824,000	$1,219,000	-$395,000	-32%
F4	3311	2 BR + D/2.5 B	2144	$1,021,500	$1,571,500	-$550,000	-35%

See a full pricing list that includes special Fannie Mae pricing here.

Bellevue Square Hallmark Store Closing

Michael — Wed, 23 May 2012 07:52:05 +0000

The Bellevue Square Hallmark store has announced that it will close in June. The store is offering a sale from 20-75% off all the original prices (exclusions apply to greeting cards, Father’s Day & Graduation gifts).

Hallmark is located on the second leve of Bellevue Square within the Macy’s wing.

For those of you worried about being able to find greeting cards don’t fret, as there is still Papyrus & Moxie Paper Goods & Gifts.

Paula’s Hallmark Bellevue Square

260 Bellevue Square, Bellevue WA

(425) 451-4366

Hallmark is located on the second leve of Bellevue Square within the Macy’s wing.

For those of you worried about being able to find greeting cards don’t fret, as there is still Papyrus & Moxie Paper Goods & Gifts.

Paula’s Hallmark Bellevue Square
260 Bellevue Square, Bellevue WA
(425) 451-4366

Bellevue Jazz Festival Kicks Off Next Week

Lauren — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:36:08 +0000

The annual Bellevue Jazz Festival will kick off next week with a variety of musical entertainment in downtown Bellevue.

The Theatre at Meydenbauer Center will host the Grammy-nominated Clayton Brothers Quintet at 8pm on Thursday, May 31; four-time Grammy-award winner Booker T. Jones at 8pm on Friday, June 1; and the internationally-renowned Hubert Laws Quintet at 8pm on Saturday, June 2.

Tickets for these headline performances cost $34 general admission or $17 for students.

The festival’s full schedule has been announced and features more than 40 free shows throughout the community. The schedule includes:

Wednesday, May 30

- 4:30 PM Murl Allen Sanders Duo – Pianist

Lincoln Square 1st Floor [ FREE ]

- 6:00 PM June Tonkin – Pianist

El Gaucho Bellevue * [ FREE ]

- 8:00 PM Thomas Marriott – Trumpeter

Grand Cru Mixologie Lounge * [ FREE ]

- 8:00 PM Tom Grant – Pianist

Bake’s Place [ Make reservations ]

- 9:00 PM Stephanie Porter Quartet – Vocalist

Lot No. 3 [ FREE ]

- 9:00 PM Lamar Lofton’s Rhythm Quartet with special guest Assia Hamani

520 Bar & Grill [ FREE ]

Thursday, May 31

- 4:30 PM Clayton Murray Duo – Pianist

Lincoln Square 1st Floor [ FREE ]

- 6:00 PM June Tonkin – Pianist

El Gaucho Bellevue * [ FREE ]

- 8:00 PM Clayton Brothers Quintet

Theatre at Meydenbauer Center [ Buy tickets ]

- 8:00 PM Tom Grant – Pianist

Bake’s Place [ Make reservations ]

- 9:00 PM Heather Sullivan Jazz Piano Trio

520 Bar & Grill [ FREE ]

Friday, June 01

- 4:30 PM Karin Kajita Duo – Pianist

Lincoln Square 1st Floor [ FREE ]

- 6:00 PM June Tonkin – Pianist

El Gaucho Bellevue * [ FREE ]

- 8:00 PM Booker T. Jones

Theatre at Meydenbauer Center [ Buy tickets ]

- 8:00 PM Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto – Pianist

Bake’s Place [ Make reservations ]

- 8:00 PM Dawn Clement Duo – Keyboard & Vocalist + Jon Hamar on Bass

Grand Cru Mixologie Lounge * [ FREE ]

- 8:00 PM Isabella Du Graf – Vocalist

Cypress Lounge and Wine Bar at The Westin Bellevue * [ FREE ]

- 9:00 PM Heather Sullivan Jazz Piano Trio

520 Bar & Grill [ FREE ]

Saturday, June 02

- 12:00 PM Bellevue High School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 1:15 PM Music Works NW Honor Jazz Ensemble

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 2:30 PM Edmonds-Woodway High School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 3:45 PM Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 5:00 PM Newport High School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 5:00 PM June Tonkin Duo – Pianist & Vocalist

El Gaucho Bellevue * [ FREE ]

- 6:15 PM Ingraham High School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 7:30 PM Fusion – High School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 8:00 PM Hubert Laws Quintet

Theatre at Meydenbauer Center [ Buy tickets ]

- 8:00 PM Lary Barilleau and the Latin Jazz Collective

Bake’s Place [ Make reservations ]

- 8:00 PM Patti Summers – Vocalist

Cypress Lounge and Wine Bar at The Westin Bellevue * [ FREE ]

- 9:00 PM Lamar Lofton’s Rhythm Quartet with special guest Faith Beattie

520 Bar & Grill [ FREE ]

- 10:00 PM Collaborative Works Jazz Trio – Traditional & Modern Jazz

Black Bottle Postern [ FREE ]

Sunday, June 03

- 11:00 AM Jose Gonzales Trio – Funk, Swing & Pop

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill Jazz Brunch [ FREE ]

- 11:00 AM Red Shoes

520 Bar & Grill Patio [ FREE ]

- 11:00 AM Edmonds-Woodway High School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 12:15 PM Mount Si High School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 1:30 PM Hamilton International Middle School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 2:30 PM Jeff Johnson Duo – Bassist + Dave Peterson on Guitar

Ruth’s Chris Steak House [ FREE ]

- 4:00 PM Hamilton International Middle School Vocal Jazz

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 5:00 PM Primo Kim Duo – Pianist

El Gaucho Bellevue * [ FREE ]

- 5:15 PM Sammamish High School Jazz Combo

Bellevue Square Center Court [ FREE ]

- 5:30 PM Human Spirit – Thomas Marriott, Mark Taylor, George Colligan & Matt Jorgensen

Rock Bottom Brewery & Restaurant * [ FREE ]

- 7:00 PM Rising Stars

Bake’s Place [ Make reservations ]

- 7:00 PM Lamar Lofton’s Rhythm Quartet with special guest Eric Fridrich

520 Bar & Grill [ FREE ]

- 9:00 PM 4 on 6 – House Jazz Band

Black Bottle Postern [ FREE ]

*Please note: Venue is for ages 21 and up.

Cast Iron Studios Opens in Downtown Bellevue

Lauren — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:50:22 +0000

Heavy Restaurant Group officially opened Cast Iron Studios this week in downtown Bellevue.

Cast Iron Studios is designed to host intimate parties, large private events, and specialty food and wine workshops led by Heavy Restaurant Group’s chefs, wine directors, and bartenders. The company will also use the space as a catering hub, with access to the menus of Purple Café and Wine Bar, Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar, and Lot No. 3.

In June and July, Cast Iron Studios will feature food and wine workshops with topics ranging from “Pacific Northwest Cuisine,” taught by the company’s executive chef, Harry Mills, to “A History of Whiskey,” led by Chris Faber, bar manager at Lot No. 3.

Cast Iron Studios, located at 10650 NE 4^th St., is connected to Purple and Lot No. 3, and can expand to include both restaurant spaces and parties of up to 500 people. It replaces Barrio Bellevue that closed in July 2011.

Spice Route Indian Restaurant to Replace Ristorante Luciano at Bellevue Square

Michael — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:13:27 +0000

Ristorante Luciano has gone out of business at Bellevue Square on Bellevue Way, according to an article on eater.com. The Italian restaurant will be replaced by the Spice Route Indian cuisine, which currently has a restaurant within Bellevue’s Crossroads area.

Ristorante Luciano owner, Luciano Bardinelli had owned and been involved with many Seattle restaurants over the years. The Bellevue Collection location was his last. According to the article Bardinelli was quoted saying, “I owed a lot of money, but Mr. Freeman released me. And he gave me a going-away party. He paid for 60-70 people.”

There is not currently a projection on when Spice Route will open.

Ristorante Luciano has gone out of business at Bellevue Square on Bellevue Way, according to an article on eater.com. The Italian restaurant will be replaced by the Spice Route Indian cuisine, which currently has a restaurant within Bellevue’s Crossroads area.

Ristorante Luciano owner, Luciano Bardinelli had owned and been involved with many Seattle restaurants over the years. The Bellevue Collection location was his last. According to the article, Bardinelli was quoted saying, “I owed a lot of money, but Mr. Freeman released me. And he gave me a going-away party. He paid for 60-70 people.”

There is not currently a projection on when Spice Route will open.

2 New Zipcars in Downtown Bellevue at 989 Elements Apartments

Michael — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:49:08 +0000

2 New cars have been added to the Downtown Bellevue Zipcar fleet. The newest cars, ‘Atom’ and ‘Igor’ are located at 989 Elements Apartments building. Atom is an Audi A3, and Igor a Honda Insight Hybrid.

To celebrate the new cars Zipcar will be hosting a launch event at 989 Elements Apartment Building within the lobby. The event will take place from 5-8PM. The event promises to have food and beverages for visiting gusets.

With the addition of these two cars this brings up the total Zipcars in Downtown Bellevue to 8. The cars are located in 3 locations: Skyline Tower parking garage, a surface lot across from The Bravern at NE 8th St & 110th Ave, and now 989 Elements Apartments parking garage.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Zipcar and memberships, go to their website (http://www.zipcar.com/seattle/check-rates).

2 new cars have been added to the Downtown Bellevue Zipcar fleet. The newest cars, ‘Atom’ and ‘Igor,’ are located at the 989 Elements apartment building. Atom is an Audi A3 and Igor a Honda Insight Hybrid.

To celebrate the new cars, Zipcar will be hosting a launch event in the 989 Elements lobby May 22nd, 5 PM -8 PM. The event promises to have food and beverages for visiting guests.

With the addition of these 2 cars, there are now a total of 8 Zipcars in Downtown Bellevue. The cars are located in 3 locations: Skyline Tower parking garage, a surface lot across from The Bravern at NE 8th St. & 110th Ave., and now 989 Elements parking garage.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Zipcar and memberships, go to their website.